Carlos Ortiz has come perilously close to shooting a 59 but had to settle for a magnificent 60 in the opening round of the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament as Australia's early challenge was headed by Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert.
Leishman and Herbert shot four-under 66s on Thursday's opening day but like everyone else, were left in the shade by Mexico's brilliant Ortiz, who recorded nine birdies and an eagle in an astonishing round that finished with a breathtaking flourish.
His approach from 167 yards on his final hole was headed directly toward the flag, with the crowd momentarily thinking it might even drop for the 34-year-old to complete a round of 59.
Instead, the ball finished inside two feet, leaving Ortiz with a tap-in birdie for a 10-under 60 -- the lowest score of his preofessional career -- and a two-shot lead over South African Dean Burmester at Hong Kong Golf Club.
"It was a great round," enthused Ortiz. "Obviously, I played great coming in. I think I hit it very close, like four or five times I just tapped it in. That doesn't happen much, so it's awesome when you don't even have to get the putter out. Very pleased."
It was the third time in LIV Golf history that a player has shot 60. Only three rounds have been lower – Bryson DeChambeau's 58, and the two 59s shot by Joaquin Niemann and Sebastian Munoz.
On the Fanling course left vulnerable in soft conditions after heavy rain, defending champ Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Younghang Song and Scott Vincent were tied for third on seven-under after shooting 63s.
Leishman had no bogeys in his round, while the highlight of his Ripper GC teammate Lucas Herbert's round was an eagle at the par-five 13th. The pair were in joint-16th place after the first round.
Elvis Smylie, winner of the LIV season's opening event in Saudi Arabia, was on two under, while captain Cam Smith shot a one-under 69 as Ripper GC lay tied-fourth in the team event at 11 under, 10 behind the Ortiz-inspired leaders, Torque GC.
Wade Ormsby, the 45-year-old Australian brought in to deputise for Phil Mickelson, who's continuing to deal with a family health matter, had a decent start too with a three-under 67.
Anthony Kim shot 67 in his first start since his emotional win in LIV Golf Adelaide last month, while Victor Perez recorded a hole-in-one - the 13th ace in the tour's history.
